One year ago, there was a thread on NR software. Members weighed in with Noise Ninja, Neat Image and Noiseware by Imagenomic being the most frequently used. I'm in the market for this software and wondered if the responses would be the same today. I want PS plug-in capability which I believe is available in all three programs.
Most noise reduction programs come as plugins becuse it would be inconvenient to use them as a stand alone, meaning saving, executing, resaving etc.
You can't go wrong wth any of the ones you mention. Do download the profiles for your particular camera, though, from the manufacturer. That will give you better performance.
I've been very happy with Noise Ninja. They are all good. If you end up with this particular software, be sure to turn off the USM. It makes no sense to me to reduce noise and sharpen in one step, especially if you only sharpen selectively, which I would recommend. YMMV.
Jim, I'm using a Canon system - 40D at the moment. I purchased Neat Image last night. Had a chance to try it out on a couple of images and liked the results. I haven't delved into the details of the program. Pretty much used the default settings but will spend time understanding the options.
Hi Roger, I use Neat Image as the first part of my workflow. I use the default setting over the the whole image. This invariably smooths the background with no loss of detail in the subject.
Personally I've found that Imagenomic Noiseware is less destructive to the image than Noise Ninja. When I shot a lot of night football I used Noise Ninja and had to deal with "plastic" skin. Once I moved to Noiseware there was a great deal of improvement in the look of the image. I was using the Noise Ninja profile and a 1DsMKII back then. Once I switched to the DMKIII I didn't use Noise Ninja since they didn't offer a profile for the camera, only a suggestion to make my own.
I've been using Noiseware for over a year and I like it a lot and I think the sharpening works well too. I just use the default setting most of the time. I have a 50D now, upgraded from 40D.
I tried Nik Dfine after some raved about it but it was not any better than Noiseware and more expensive. I haven't tried the one by Topaz but several in the 40D Yahoo group have it and like it.
Fab: "Do download the profiles for your particular camera, though, from the manufacturer. That will give you better performance."
Michael: "Once I moved to Noiseware there was a great deal of improvement in the look of the image. I was using the Noise Ninja profile and a 1DsMKII back then."
Fab are you saying to obtain a profile "from the mfg", e.g., from the Canon website for the 40D?
Michael, are you saying that the software is providing profiles for different cameras?
Jay- Yes- For a while Noise Ninja had profiles for most camera's. They added a "make your own profile" feature and stopped updating profiles. They had one for 1DsMKII. They didn't make one for the 1DMKIII. When I emailed them they told me I could make my own. So I went to Noiseware Pro :D